For The Sake Of Ten (Genesis 18:32)

 

Monday, February 3, 2025

Psalm 78:16-38

Genesis 18:22-19:11

Luke 2:1-7

Observance: First Anglican Service at Sydney Cove, Conducted by Richard Johnson, Sydney, 1788

For The Sake Of Ten (Genesis 18:32)

From this wonderfully pastoral tableau, of the old man and his wife entertaining three divine guests, comes a dark shadow. Approaching from the valley below them comes the cries of iniquity of the cities of the plain: Sodom and Gomorrah. Rising from their feast, the three men turn from blessing Abraham and Sarah to executing divine judgement. And the story just gets darker from here.

But Abraham, in his boldness, has this immortal conversation with God, a conversation that uncovers for us whispers of Jesus’ words about people who are “salt” and “light”. God desires that none should perish, but that all should turn from their sins and live. And for the sake of just ten righteous people, the disaster about to befall Sodom and Gomorrah could be turned away.

At any point in history we could say “we live in dark times”; look anywhere you like and you can find something that goes against God’s goodness. But at the same time (and if you just look for it the same way) you will find something that reveals God’s mercy and loving-kindness. For the sake of a few good people, an entire wicked nation could be saved. How much of the mercy and loving-kindness God has bestowed on our nation is because of a few good people praying on behalf of us all? As Christians with a lively, born again faith, we are those few people for whom God is looking; for the sake of us, our prayers, and our disciplined living, we might be the reason God turns away from bringing about the calamity of his righteous judgement.

Let us not forget either that for the sake of just one, we have been saved into eternal life. For just as death came through one man, Adam, so has eternal life come through one man, the God-Man Jesus Christ. The prayers of a few faithful, and their godly living, does so much more for the spiritual health of the people at large than we can ever understand.

Are we living as a righteous people, as the salt of the earth, preserving our community and shining the light of Christ’s loving-kindness?

O Lord who sees all things: grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, so that we may be found righteous for Jesus Christ’s sake. May we live as the people for whom you have turned righteous judgement into loving mercy.